He Who Fights with Monsters, #1
He Who Fights with Monsters
by Shirtaloon
Contents
94. Consequences
Overview
Neil Davone rejects the Healer temple’s power grab and rushes to warn Jory that the Chief Priest and clergy are coming to destroy the new clinic. Meanwhile, Jason corners Dean Tuckell and draws out a confession implicating Thadwick Mercer in orchestrating assaults and staged monster sightings. A Mercer-aligned enforcer confronts Jason, escalating the conflict and forcing an imminent fight.
Summary
At the Temple of the Healer, Neil Davone refuses to join the Chief Priest’s politically driven action. Expelled from the church, Neil leaves determined to act on his conscience.
At the Clementson property, Jason confronts an adventurer he recognizes from a prior ambush. The man, Dean Tuckell, is wary as Jason outlines four outcomes: cooperate for leniency, stay silent and be scapegoated, kill Jason and face the fallout, or fail to kill Jason and suffer the consequences. Jason signals he can recommend a road contract if Dean helps expose the scheme.
Under pressure and offered a path out, Dean admits Thadwick Mercer recruited struggling adventurers, arranged their easy assessments, ordered the ambush on Jason, and directed staged monster sightings to intimidate locals in a land-grab effort. Clementson flees as Jason keeps him in aura sight, and Dean reveals another Mercer agent is on-site.
A burly enforcer arrives, declaring he will “put both down.” Jason manifests his star-speckled darkness and warns Dean to stay clear, setting the stage for a confrontation.
Meanwhile in Greenstone, Neil pushes through the crowd at the Broadstreet Clinic’s reopening and gains entry through the back. Finding Rufus Remore present and Jory Tillman preparing for the event, Neil warns them that the Healer’s Chief Priest is marching with clergy to tear the clinic down, elevating the stakes for Jory’s enterprise and the city’s politics.
Who Appears
- Jason AsanoConfronts Dean Tuckell, offers choices, secures a confession implicating Thadwick Mercer; prepares to fight a Mercer enforcer.
- Neil DavoneRefuses the Healer temple’s overreach, is cast out, and rushes to warn Jory of an impending attack on the clinic.
- Dean TuckellReluctant adventurer recruited by Mercer; confesses to staging monster sightings and participating in Jason’s ambush.
- Thadwick MercerOffstage instigator; recruited weak adventurers, ordered Jason’s ambush, and orchestrated staged sightings for a land-grab.
- Eustace ClementsonMill owner hosting Dean; tries to slip away as Jason confronts the scheme on his property.
- Mercer enforcer (unnamed)Burly adventurer who arrives to silence Jason and Dean, forcing an imminent battle.
- Jory TillmanClinic leader preparing reopening; receives Neil’s warning of a temple-led move to destroy the facility.
- Rufus RemoreFound meditating at the clinic; observes as Neil delivers his urgent warning.
- Chief Priest of the HealerLeads clergy to oppose the clinic; expels Neil and prepares to tear the clinic down.